Loose-leaf binder.



G. SMITH.

LOOSE LEAF BINDER. APPLIGATION FILED DBO.8, 1913.

1,1 %9,fi4lfio Patented Feb. 23, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

5 CO., PHOTO-LITHQ. WASHINGTON. D, K

G. SMITH.

LOOSE LEAF BINDER. IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII a.

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GILBERT snrrn, OF CHICAGO, ILLINoIs, AssIenoR TO oHIoAeo SHIPPING & RECEIPT BOOK COMPANY, A CORPORATION or ILLINOIS.

LOOSE-LEAF BINDER.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 23, 1915.

Application filed December 8, 1913. Serial No. 805,226.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GILBERT SMITH, a citi- Zen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Loose-Leaf Binders; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the numerals of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to a loose leaf binder in which means are provided for temporarily locking the same permitting release thereof for the removal or insertion of leaves within the ledger to which the binder is attached, and also provided with a permanent lock whereby the binder may be looked after a certain number of pages have been inserted to prevent opening thereof without destruction of the device.

It is an object of this invention to provide a loose leaf binder equipped with temporary locking means releasable by a key for the purpose, and provided with a locking bar which, when in looking position, engages the impaling post to prevent removal or insertion of paper to or from the device.

It is also an object of this invention to construct a loose leaf binder embracing a casing attachable to a ledger, and with a locking bar slidable therein acting in one position to engage an impaling post to prevent removal of paper therefrom and in retracted position, entirely disengaged from said post, together with temporary and permanent locking means to control the movement of said locking member.-

lt is also an object of this invention to provide a loose leaf binder adapted to engage an impaling post apd temporary spring actuated locking means acting to retain the locking member in locked position only releasable by a key for the purpose.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a loose leaf binder having spring actuated temporary locking means capable of movement to release position by a key for the purpose and with permanent looking mechanism acting independently of said temporary locking means and key.

It is furthermore an object of this invention to construct a loose leaf binderequipped with temporary and permanent locking means, each acting independently of the other, the former releasable by a key for the purpose.

It is finally an object of this invention to construct a binder for loose leaf books designed for economical construction, simple, durable and efficient in operation, and provided with both temporary and permanent locking mechanisms.

The invention (in a preferred form) is illustrated in the drawings and hereinafter more fully described.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a ledger with a device embodying the principles of my invention attached thereto. Fig. 2 is a view partly broken away illustrating parts in elevation and parts in section with the locking mechanism for the impaling posts in unlocked position. Fig. 3

is a similar view with the parts in looking position. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional detail of one end of the binder illustrating a key inserted therein prior to the unlocking of the temporary locking means. Fig. 5 is a similar view illustrating the key operating to release the temporary locking means. Fig. 6 is a fragmentary central vertical section, with parts in elevation, taken through the middle portion of the device, shown in Fig. 3 on line 66. Fig. 7 is a central, horizontal section taken through a modification of my invention, and showing the same in unlocked position, and in a permanently locked positioned in dotted lines. Fig. 8 is a detail section taken through the right hand end of the modification illustrated in Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a face view of the key way provided in the end cap of the device. Fig. 10 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 1010 of Fig. 7.

As shown in the drawings, the device comprises a flat casing 1', which is rounded in cross section and is provided with cut away portions or notches 2, in the two surfaces thereof, at one edge, adapted to receive the impaling posts 3, therein. Slidably mounted within said casing is a flat bar or looking member, denoted as a whole by the reference numeral. 4, and slotted at certain portions adjacent the notches 2, to afford locking fingers 5, which may engage through eyes in the impaling posts 8. Said fingers when in looking position extend across the notches 2, in the casing. Said casing 1, is closed at each of its'ends by means of caps 6, and 6 respectively, which have a key Way aperture 7, therein. At one of its ends said slidable locking member 4, has fastened thereto an apertured stiff resilient piece of steel 8, 5 turned upwardly at its end 9, which is adapted to engage over an inturned tongue of metal or detent 10, formed on' one wall of the casing 1. At its other end said look ing member is unchanged, and when the device is in unlocked position, as shown in Fig. 2, the key inserted through the end 6, merely contacts the locking member to thrust the same into locking position. However, when it is desired to retract the locking member to release the fingers 5, from the impaling posts, the key 11, is inserted through the key way in the end 6, and the V-notch in the end of the key, engaging the upturned end 9, of the steel member 8, elevates the same from the detent 10, and, as the key is pushed farther into the casing, the locking member is thrust into retracted position. For the purpose of limiting said locking member in its movement to locking 5 position a pin 12, is secured in the casing,

and engages in the slot in the locking member adjacent one of the fingers 5.

The permanent locking mechanism embraces a pawl 18, which is pivoted to the looking member 4, and swings in a slot 14, therein, and is normally impelled to one side of said slot by a leaf. spring 15. A fixed pin 16, extends through the casing from one wall to the other and through said slot 14:, in the locking member, and is so positioned that one of the inclined sides of said pawl 13, tracks thereon during movement of the locking member. WVhen it is desired to permanently lock the device, the locking member is forcibly driven inwardly by a key inserted through the cap 6 thus shearing the pin 12, and permitting the pawl 13, to be carried past the pin 16, and consequently impelled into a locking position therebee5 hind.

In the modification illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, the construction is substantially as before described, with the exception that a pawl 17, similar to the pawl 13, is mounted so in a slot 18, and impelled by a spring 19, at one end of the locking member, instead of centrally thereof. Furthermore the casing 1, is closed by cap 20, at one end, and is provided with a collar 21, on the opposite end, through which the locking member 4, slides during operation. A fixed pin 22, extends through the casing and corresponds to the pin 16, already described, and

a pin 23, is also provided in the locking 69 member, said pin 23, corresponding in its operation and function to the pin 12, heretofore mentioned. Temporary locking means in the modification provided are as before described, and consists of the stiff $5, steel member 8, co-acting with a detent 10,

in the casing. However, when it is desired to permanently lock the device, the pin 23, is driven inwardly as shown in Fig. 8, thus permitting movement of the locking member 4, entirely into the casing to such a po- 70 sition that the pawl 17, will be carried beyond the pin 22, and impelled behind the same, thus preventing retraction of the looking member. The permanently locked position of the parts are shown in Fig. 7 in dotted lines.

The operation is as follows: In the device as shown in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, the looking member 4, is actuatable to locked position by a key insertible through the cap 6, the key merely abutting against the end of the locking member and thrusting the same along with the fingers 5, across the notches 2, and engaging in the impaling posts 3. With such movement of the locking member the spring steel member 8, rides up over and engages upon the detent 10, in the easing 1, thus preventing retraction of the looking member. A key inserted through the cap 6, however, serves to elevate the member 8, as shown in Fig. 5, and the locking member may then be retracted by thrusting inwardly upon the key. However, when it is desired to permanently lock the device the key inserted through the cap 6, is driven inwardly under pressure, thus causing the locking member to shear the pin 12, so that the pawl 13, tracking on the fixed pin 16, and moving with said locking member 4:, moves beyond said pin 16, and is impelled into the position shown in dotted lines, thus preventing retraction of the locking lever.

I am aware that various details of construction may be varied through a wide 1 range without departing from the principles of this invention. I therefore do not purpose limiting the patent granted otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a device of the class described a casing, a locking member slidable therein, a pawl carried on said locking member, a pin fixed within the casing over which said pawl is adapted to track, a pin in said casing adapted to limit the normal movement of said locking.member to prevent movement of said pawl beyond said first mentioned pin, and temporary locking means embracing a resilient member secured to said locking member and a detent in the casing adapted to be engaged thereby to prevent retraction of the locking member except by a key.

2. In a device of the class described a casing, a locking member slidable therein, temporary locking means comprising a resilient member secured to said locking member, a detent in the casing adapted to be engaged by said resilient member to lock the locking member in locked position, a key insertible in the casing to release said resilient member from said detent, and permanent locking means adapted to lock said member in locking position when the same is moved beyond a predetermined point.

3. In a device of the class described a casing, a locking member slidable therein, a spring steel member secured on one end of said member, a detent in the casing adapted to be engaged thereby to temporarilylock said member in locked position, a key insertible in the casing to release the same from said detent, and to retract said locking member, a pin adapted to limit the movement of said locking member into the position for engagement of said temporary locking means, and permanent locking mechanism adapted to lock said member when the same is forced beyond said pin.

4. In a device of the class described slidable locking means, resilient means secured thereon to lock the same in position, a key to release the same and retract the same to unlocked position, and permanent locking mechanism adapted to lock said locking means in locked position when said locking member is moved beyond the point of look ing of said temporary locking means.

5. In a device of the class described a casing, a slidable locking member therein, a pawl secured to said slidable locking member, temporary locking means for said slidable locking member, a fixed pin within the casing over which said pawl is adapted to track and to drop behind the same to permanently lock said locking member when the same is moved beyond temporary looking position, a pin in said casing adapted to limit the movement of said slidable locking member to prevent movement of said pawl beyond said fixed pin except by shearing said pin, and a key to release said temporary locking means and to move the slidable locking member into unlocked position.

6. In a device of the class described a slidable locking member, a temporary locking means connected on one end thereof embracing an apertured steel plate, a detent adapted to be engaged by said steel plate to maintain said locking member in locked position, and permanent locking mechanism embracing a pawl pivoted on said locking member, a fixed pin normally tracked over by said pawl, and means limiting the move ment of said locking member into the look ing position for operation of said temporary locking means whereby movement of said locking member when forced beyond said limiting means will permit said pawl to drop over said pin to prevent retraction of the locking member to release position.

7. In a device of the class described a slidable locking member, temporary looking means connected on one end thereof, permanent locking mechanism embracing a pawl pivoted on said locking member, a fixed pin adapted to co-act with said pawl, another pin adapted to limit the movement of the locking member into the locking position for said temporary locking means, and said permanent locking mechanism adapted to be brought into operation to prevent retraction of the locking member when said locking member is driven beyond said limiting pin to permit said pawl to drop behind said first mentioned pin.

8. A loose leaf binder of the class described embracing a casing, a slidable'locking member therein, a pawl pivoted on said slidable locking member, a fixed pin within the casing over which said pawl tracks, temporary spring actuated locking means consisting of a resilient member having a recess therein and secured to said slidable locking member, said pawl adapted to drop behind said fixed pin to permanently lock said slidable locking member when the same is moved beyond temporary locking position, a detent in the casing adapted to engage in said recess to prevent retraction of the slidable locking member, a shearing pin adapted to limit the movement of said slidable locking member into the position for engagement of said temporary locking means, and a key to release said resilient member from the detent.

9. In a device of the class described a casing, a slidable locking bar adapted to engage the impaling posts of a binder, a resilient spring member engaging in a slot in said slidable locking bar, a pin in said casing adapted to limit the movement of said slidable locking bar when the same is moved into locking position engaging the impaling posts of the binder, permanent locking mechanism embracing a pawl pivotedon said slidable locking bar, and a fixed pin within the casing over which said pawl tracks, said slidable locking bar when forced beyond the limiting means shearing the same, permitting said pawl to drop behind said fixed pin and to be retained in such position by the resilient spring member to prevent retraction of the slidable locking bar into release position.

10. A loose leaf binder of the class described embracing a casing, impaling posts, a slidable bar in said casing adapted to engage the impaling posts of the binder, temporary locking means embracing a resilient member having a recess therein and secured to said slidable bar and a detent on the interior of said casing adapted to engage in said recess to retain the slidable bar in locked position, and permanent locking means adapted to lock said bar in looking position when the same is moved beyond temporary locking position 11. A loose leaf binder of the class dedetent in said recessed member to retain 10 scribed embracing a casing having a detent the locking bar in locked position. on the interior thereof, a locking bar slid- In testimony whereof I have hereunto able therein, and temporary spring actuated subscribed my name in the presence of two locking means embracing a resilient resubscribing Witnesses.

cessed member secured to said locking bar, GILBERT SMITH. and an upturned flange on one end thereof Witnesses:

to elevate said member over the detent in CHARLES W. HILLS, J r.,

the casing to permit engagement of the FRANK K. HUDSON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents Washington, D. 0. 

